Can-opener.



No. 846,921. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

R. W. HORTON & J. E. MOLESWORTH.

. CAN OPENER; APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 23 1906.

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ROSS w.v HoRToN AND .JEHIEL E. MOLESWORTH, or NEW ATHENS, OHIO,

CAN-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 12, 1907.

Amma 131 6 March 23,1906. Serial No. 307.673.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Ross W. HORTON and JEHIEL E. MoLEsWoRTH, citizens of the United States, residingat New Athens, in the county of Harrison and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide an implement of simple, cheap, and novel structure specially designed for opening sheet-metal packages such as are employed for the conserving of fruits, vegetables, meats, or the like and which may be supplied with each package of goods Without adding appreciably to the cost thereof, thereby enabling the user to have at hand means for effectively opening a package of canned goods.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

Vl hile the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a canopener embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, the dotted lines indicating a position of the cutter and movable member of the handle when yielding laterally from any cause. Fig. 3 is an end view of the device.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The can-opener comprises a handle 1, cut ter 2, guard 3, and fulcrum 4, forming part of a single length of wire or blank bent into the shape substantially as illustrated.

The handle 1 is of the form of a loop and consists of a fold of the wire or blank. One member of the handlethat provided with the cutter 2-is adapted to have a limited lateral movement, whereby provision is had to enable the cutter to clear seams or other ob-' structions which would be liable to interfere with the effective operation of the implement if the cutter were rigid and incapable of lateral movement. The cutter 2 is formed by bends mutually brace one another.

flattening one end of the blank or wire and sharpening the flattened portion along one edge 'and pointing the end to admit of the cutter readily penetrating the cover or other part of the package or can to be opened. The cutter is in line with the movable member of the handle and forms a part thereof. The guard 3 constitutes the opposite end portion of the blank or wire and is arranged parallel with the cutter and to one side and slightly above the cuttingedge thereof. The guard 3 in the operation of the opener runs along the side of the can or package and holds the cutter close to the inner side of the said can, thereby enabling the fulcrum to obtain a firm purchase upon the edge portion of the cover, which is held in place by means of the side of the can, thereby being best adapted to sustain the strain imposed upon the fulcrum of the device when in operation.

The fulcrum comprises a series of lateral bands formed by winding an end portion of the Wire or blank upon itself, leaving an opening 5, through which the movable member of the handle passes. The opening 5 is slightly elongated in a direction at a right angle to the length of the device and in the plane of the handle, thereby admitting of the cutter 2 having a limited lateral movement. By

Winding a part of the blank upon itself to form the fulcrum the latter is given the desired height, and, moreover, the Winds or It is also noted that the fulcrum by reason of its proj ection from the sides of the handle and being arranged at the inner end thereof forms a guard to prevent the thumb or finger of the hand being injured by coming in contact with the cutter or with the sharp edges of the tin or sheet metal resulting from the action of the device thereon in the process of opening the package or can.

The can-opener herein described being constructed of wire may be cheaply manufactured, thereby admitting of one being supplied with each package, and when required for use the cutter is entered into the top of the can or package with the guard 3 upon the outer side thereof, and upon oscillating the handle and advancing the implement the opening is effected in the manner well understood.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is 1. A can-opener comprising a loop-shaped handle, a cutter, a guard, and a fulcrum, all

forming parts of a single blank, the fulcrum having an oblong opening and a member of the handle passing through the opening of the fulcrum and having a limited lateral movement therein and provided at its outer end With the cutter. r

2. A can-opener comprising a loop-shaped handle, a cutter, a guard, and a fulcrum, all

forming parts of a single blank, the fulcrum comprising a series of concentric bends or Winds of the blank and having an opening through which a member of the handle passes.

' 3. The herein-described can-opener formed of a single blank or Wire comprising a loop shaped handle, a cutter, a guard and a fulcrum, the guard being parallel With the cutter and arranged at one side and above the edge of said cutter, and a fulcrum comprising a series of concentric Winds or bends and having an oblong opening through which a mem-- ber of the handle passes and has a limited play, said fulcrum projecting from all sides of the handle to form a guard substantially in the manner specified.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signa- 2 5 tures in presence of tWo Witnesses.

ROSS W. HORTON. [n a] JEHIEL E. MOLESWORTH. [1,, 8.]

Witnesses:

ELIZABETH A. MoLEsWoRTH, JEssIE L. HORTON. 

